Map of the proposed project area. Image provided by USDA.
STAMPEDE RESERVOIR — The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is asking for public comment on another fuels reduction program, this time on the south side of Stampede Reservoir. USDA says that the project is an “opportunity to improve forest health and promote ecosystem conditions more resilient to pests and pathogens, drought, climate change, and risks associated to high severity wildfire within the Little Truckee River and Dry Creek watersheds.” Vegetation management, wildlife habitat enhancement, opening creation, hazard tree removal, tree planting, watershed protection measures, and road actions would take place on approximately 3,000 acres of National Forest System lands. Prescribed burning would also take place across the entire acreage.
The USDA would collaborate with the Middle Truckee River Watershed Forest Partnership (MTRWFP) to complete the project. Tahoe National Forest Truckee District Ranger Jonathan Cook-Fisher says, “MTRWFP continues to gain momentum, and this project joins a list of recent successful efforts currently being planned and implemented in the Truckee area.” Once a decision memo is signed, initial activities could take place as soon as June 2025.
The proposal and more information about the project is provided by the USDA at https://bit.ly/3XGraA5. Parties interested in submitting public comments may do so in the following ways by October 14, 2024:
By mail: Jonathan Cook-Fisher (c/o John Brokaw), Truckee Ranger District, 10811 Stockrest Springs Rd. Truckee, CA 96161.
In-person: Truckee Ranger District, 10811 Stockrest Springs Rd. Truckee, CA 96161. Office business hours for hand-delivered written comments are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
Electronically: Electronic comments must be submitted in a format such as an email message, plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), or word (.doc) to: comments-pacificsouthwest-tahoe-truckee@usda.gov.
Submitted comments should include:
Name, address, and telephone number of the commenter; and if applicable, the organization represented.
A heading or subject line of “Russell Valley Fuels Reduction Project.”
Specific concerns, issues, or suggestions related to the project and the reasons for any concerns or suggestions.